JUNE 2022

Brachial biceps rupture

Identification and history

  • Name: Rocky
  • Report and medical history: Dog, Springer Spaniel, M, 4 years old.

An ultrasound scan and orthopedic examination was requested for acute lameness in the front left leg. 
The patient has pain on palpation of the biceps femoris and the shoulder.
Suspected avulsion fracture with partial rupture of the brachial biceps tendon.

Diagnostics

Brachial biceps rupture 1

The ultrasound image shows the supraspinatus muscle is healthy.

Brachial biceps rupture 2

This ultrasound image, however, shows an increased volume of the left infraspinatus muscle . It appears contracted and has a hyperechogenic, globular appearance with unrecognisable echotexture.

Brachial biceps rupture 3

Slight increase in the thickness of the brachial biceps tendon, particularly around the proximal insertion, where it presents a heterogenous echotexture due to the presence of multiple millimetric hyperechogenic foci forming an acoustic shadow over the medial half.
Furthermore, the image shows moderate ectasis of the sheath of the brachial biceps, which is more pronounced around the bicipital groove and the myotendinous junction.

Images were acquired with the MyLab™9VET system.

Conclusions and treatment

The ultrasound scan confirms rupture of the brachial biceps and shows in addition a contraction of the infraspinatus muscle.

Possible treatments are surgery or local medical therapies.

Laura Martinelli, DVM, MSc 
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.

Laura Martinelli, DVM, MSc Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.

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